Blowouts, Game-Winners And Grudge Matches: Relive The Red Scare’s Run In The Basketball Tournament

July 24, 2019July 24, 2019 Sean Newhouse

The Red Scare, a team of Dayton men’s basketball alumni, entered The Basketball Tournament this past weekend for a chance at the $2 million prize.

Hopes of a successful tournament looked in question when two key players dropped out just before the tournament. The worry was wiped away in the first game, when The Red Scare topped “The Region” – a team made of players from northwest Indiana and the south side of Chicago – in convincing fashion.

“I actually got goosebumps, it reminded me of being at UD arena,” guard Vee Sanford said in a press conference after the first game. “It felt like a home game.”

The Red Scare provided the Flyer fans, who had made the drive to Columbus, with an explosive offensive performance, beating The Region 108-82.

2014 graduate Devin Oliver lead the way with 27 points on six three-point shots made. Sanford, Kyle Davis, Kevin Dillard and Ryan Bruns also contributed double-digit points.

The seven seed, Mid-American Unity, consisting of former players in the MAC conference, upset the second seed Kohl Blooded (Wisconsin Alumni) in the first round of the tournament. This seemed to give the Red Scare an easier opportunity to advance to the regional final. Mid-American Unity proved their first win was no fluke.

The game was close from start to finish, neither team was able to pull out to a convincing lead. Oliver again was the Red Scare’s leading scorer, with 22 points. His most important bucket was a game winning dunk that sent the Red Scare through to the next round.

In the regional final round the Red Scare was set to take on Carmen’s Crew (Ohio State alumni). The matchup carried some history.

In the 2014 NCAA tournament, Dayton beat Ohio State in the first round en route to an appearance in the Elite Eight. Sanford hit the game-winning shot in that game. The guy that was guarding him when he hit the shot was Aaron Craft, who was suiting up for Carmen’s Crew.

Carmen’s Crew got their revenge. The Ohio State alumni made a run to start the second half, and they never relinquished the lead. The game ended with a final score of 85-71, and The Red Scare was knocked out of the tournament.

Unfortunately, The Basketball Tournament’s prize pool is winner-take-all, but Flyer fans did not leave empty handed. The chance to see some old fan-favorite players together on the court again was priceless.

Carmen’s Crew will play in the tournament’s quarterfinals on August 1.

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